My WM63 has been working fine for c. 8 years. Just yesterday, it stopped shortly after the cycle had started and caused the circuit-breaker in the house to trip. By this time, there was a fair bit of water in it. I reduced the load and it still tripped the house circuit-breaker. I took out all the clothes, bailed out the water and started it again this morning. It was filling up as per normal, then suddenly caused the circuit-breaker to trip. It didn't actually cause the individual fuse to trip, however.

William, February 2008

if your machine has been making quite a bit of noise lately even more when its spinning then your bearings have gone which means the drum drops and cuts through the heater ,or like last answer brushes , if no noise go for the brushes

colin, February 2008

Look at the carbon brushes in the motor. Theyre graphite blocks which transfer mains power to the copper segments of the motor. v. cheap parts and easy to replace. Look at the copper segments to check for burning or pitting. If the copper segments are burnt or damaged its a replacement motor or a replacement armature if you can source one. May be a fault in the motor drive circuit board? Possibly also a short circuit in the water heater.
The trip mechanism works in a shorter time than it takes the plug fuse to blow. If the trip wasnt present the fuse would go.
WASHING MACHINE SERVICE AND REPAIR MANUAL.
cut and paste the following address into your browser for more info. www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html

dan, February 2008